If you have heard the word Reiki but aren't quite sure what it means, you're not alone. It's one of the questions I'm asked most often, usually followed closely by a second one: "How can it work if we're not even in the same room?" In this post I'd like to answer both, simply and honestly, the way I understand them from my own training and practice.
What does "Reiki" mean?
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese word made of two parts. Rei means universal, and Ki means life force or life energy. Together, Reiki is usually translated as "universal life force energy."
The idea of a life energy isn't unique to Reiki. It's the same concept many traditions describe in their own words: prana in India's yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, qi (chi) in Chinese practice, and ki in Japan. Each describes a gentle, vital energy that flows through all living things.
The core concept: universal energy
Reiki is based on a simple idea. There is an energy that flows through and around each of us: within the body, along pathways often described as chakras and meridians, and around the body in a field known as the aura.
When this energy is flowing freely, we tend to feel calm, grounded and at ease. When it becomes blocked or depleted, through stress, worry, grief, illness or simply the pace of modern life, we may feel tense, heavy, tired or "not quite ourselves."
An important point is that the Reiki practitioner is not the source of the energy. I don't give you my own energy. Instead, through training and a process called attunement, a practitioner learns to act as a channel for universal energy, which then flows to the person receiving it. Reiki is traditionally described as flowing to wherever it is most needed, gently supporting the body's own natural tendency toward balance.
A little history
Reiki as it is practised today was developed in Japan in the early 1920s by Dr. Mikao Usui. After years of study and meditation, he began teaching a system of hands-on and distance healing that he passed on to his students. It later spread to Hawaii, North America and around the world, and today it is practised in homes, wellness centres and even some hospital complementary care programmes.
Reiki training is usually taught in levels. Level 1 focuses on self-healing and hands-on sessions. Level 2, the level I am trained at, introduces the Reiki symbols, including the symbol used to send Reiki across distance.
So how does distance Reiki actually work?
This is the part that surprises most people. If Reiki is energy, how can it reach someone who is in another city, or even another country?
In the Reiki tradition, universal energy isn't limited by physical space or time. Because it is universal, it is already everywhere and connects all of us. The practitioner isn't pushing energy down a wire from point A to point B. Instead, they use focused intention to connect with the person and let the energy flow to them.
Distance healing is one of the techniques Dr. Usui taught his own students, and one of the ways practitioners traditionally focus a session is with a photograph of the person receiving it. That is exactly how I work:
- Connection. Before your session, you share your full name and a recent photo. These help me focus my intention clearly on you and only you.
- Preparation. At your scheduled time I settle into a quiet, focused space and use the Level 2 distance symbol, which in Reiki practice is used to bridge the distance between practitioner and recipient.
- The session. For the full length of your session, Reiki is sent to you. You don't need to do anything except rest, wherever you are.
- Afterwards. If you'd like, I share any impressions or messages that came up during the session.
Many practitioners describe distance Reiki as being just as meaningful as a hands-on session. The only difference is that the connection is made through intention rather than touch.
What might I feel?
Every person's experience is different, and there is no "right" way to receive Reiki. People often describe:
- A feeling of warmth, tingling or gentle waves moving through the body
- Deep relaxation, sometimes to the point of drifting off to sleep
- An emotional release, such as tears, a sigh or a sense of lightness
- Greater clarity, calm or ease in the hours and days afterwards
Some people feel very little during the session itself and notice a shift later. That's completely normal too.
How to prepare for a distance session
- Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you won't be disturbed. Sitting or lying down both work well.
- Silence your phone and, if you like, dim the lights or play soft music.
- Take a few slow breaths and set a simple intention, such as "I am open to receiving what I need today."
- Drink a glass of water afterwards and give yourself a few gentle minutes before jumping back into your day.
A gentle note
Reiki is a complementary wellness practice that supports relaxation and a sense of balance. It is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment or advice, and it works beautifully alongside the care you already receive. Please continue to see a licensed healthcare provider for any medical concerns.
Curious to experience it?
My own journey with Reiki began at a time when I needed support myself, and it changed how I care for my wellbeing. If you'd like to find out whether distance Reiki is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute discovery call where we can talk about what you're looking for and answer any questions. You can also explore my sessions or send me a message.
With warmth and light,
Ramneek
Level 2 Reiki Distance Healer, Holistic Arogya